Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-05-13
WHAT WOOL GROWERS WANT.
f. the Text of an Able Grafton by Judge
Lawrence, of Ohio.

f. the Text of an Able Grafton by judge
Lawrence, of Ohio.
ST. LOUIS, May 12.-The National Con
vention of wool growers and wool dealer:
was called to order yesterday morning il
the hall Ofthe Cotton Exchange. George
f. Emmons delivered an address of wei
come and Hon. w. S. Shellenberger re
spOnded in a short, pointed speech. The
usual committees were then appointed and
and ut , o'clock, when the afternoon SEES
sion began, General James r. Robinson, OF
Ohio, was made President, Thomas F. Lee
and w. S. Shellenberger, Pennsylvania
John Mintoe, Oregon, and Dr. f. Bentley,
Texas, Vice Presidents.
General Robinson, in his address of &c,
ceptanCe. said that the convention was
held for the purpose of visiting the various
wool industries so that combined demand
could he made on Congress for an adjust,
ment of the tariff. At present the wool
industries were almost destroyed. One
object of the convention, he said, was to
direct public attention to a necessity of q
restoration on wool and wOolens of the
tariff of lSS7. The speaker submitted
figures showing that in three years the
production of wool had declined FULLY s.,
900, 600 pounds. The decrease in TeXa:
alone was over 10, 900, 600 pounds.
Judge William Lawrence, OF Ohio, fol-
! lowed with the address OF the day. The
speaker said that the importers valuation
OF imports during 1856 amounted TO $44,
900, 600; the differentiation at least one
| half and $50, 900, 900 would he nearer the
amount imported. The consumption Of
wool annually in the United States was
about 600, 900, 900 pounds OF secured wool
or about 600, OOO, 900 pounds in the raw
state One-halt of this was imported and
| the other halfprOduCcd in this country. In
| the absence Of sufficient protective legisla
| ton the American wool grOwerers and
/ wooden manufacturers could not success,
| fully compete with the wool growers
Of other countries. Under the head,
| What the Wool Growers Want, >
Judge Lawrence said that they wanted
tine privilege OF supplying every pound o
wool of all classes required for cOnsump
ton in the United States They wantcC
| progressive protective legislation, increas
| ing for series Of years, on the plan u
| Senator Benton, in lS2S. In 1867 carpe
woods were not to any appreciative extern
employed i'm the manufacture of clothing
| Now they are. Recent methods of evaGing
wool tariff had defeated the object of TIN
| 1~S3 measures. They wanted frauds upOI
! the laws and evasion of their provisions
watched by those in power, promptly de
tected and speedily punished. They want
ell an ably-COnduCted weekly newspaper ~
/ the capital.
Under the head, 'What the American
Wool Growers Propose to Do, the Speake
said they proposed TO look after their Owl
rights and interests. Judge Lawrence thel
cited reasons III support of the wool grow
ers' demands. Satisfies were again brOugh
| into reQuiSitiOn and the reason exhibited
! The alleged evil of free trade was touched
upon and finally the only excuse for fret
wool given was cheaper clothes. Their
! were 100. 600 men beside flock owners en-
gagged in wool growing. \ free woo
meant, beside q destruction Of the ilOCkS
an expulsion Of these men from their iielI
of labor When the American wool in
dustry was destroyed the combination 0
foreign wool buyers, finding American
competition destroyed, would have com
mand OF the market and hoist price
higher than when held in check by tn,
American wool industry.
! One hundred thousand copies Of this al
dress were ordered printed and distributed
| throughout the United States.